SunstarTV Bureau: Pana Sankranti is also known as the Vishuva Sankranti. It is the New Year celebration for the people of Odisha. The Odia New Year is usually celebrated on 14th or 15th of April, every year. It is similar to the other New Year festivals of India like the Baisakhi, Puthandu, Pohela Boishakh etc. This festival marks the beginning of summer.
The Panjika is prepared as per solar calendar and incorporates the auspicious dates, times, sunrise and sunset time, stars and their movements etc. from Mesha Sankranti till Mina Sankranti.
On the day of the Pana Sankranti, an earthen pot is filled with a sweet drink which is known as Pana. Then the pot is hung over a Basil (Tulsi) tree. A hole is made at the bottom of the pot to allow the sweet water to fall drop by drop. This represents the rainy season.
A mixture of horse gram flour, banana and curd is offered to the Basil plant. After that it is consumed by the members of the family. Special offerings are also made to the Gods and Goddesses to begin the New Year on a good note. In some places of Odisha special fairs like the Charaka Padva and dance known as Danda Nach is also held.
People mark the advent of the New Year by drinking pana, a sweet-sour drink made with bael (wood apple), fruits and sugar.
Devotees also performed special puja on the occasion, which is also celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman.
In Puri, traditional wrestlers come out of the Jaga Ghara, Akhadas (training homes) and gymnasiums to showcase their wrestling skills after worship of Lord Hanuman.
Devotees throng temples across the state on the occasion and take baths in rivers or major pilgrimage centers.
However, in the view of the sudden surge in coronavirus cases in Odisha, Pana Sankranti is being celebrated across the State in a low-key manner with all Covid-19 restrictions in place.
According to Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) guidelines, devotees are barred from visiting temples at several places in the State apprehending further contamination of the disease. However, all the rituals are being observed at the shrines with limited number of servitors.
